EC/Madagascar fisheries agreement: protocol for the period from 21 May 1998 to 20 May 2001

OBJECTIVE: to conclude a new fisheries protocol between the Community and Madagascar for the period from 21 May 1998 to 20 May 2001. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Regulation (EC) no. 2585/98 on the conclusion of a Protocol setting out the fishing opportunities and financial contribution provided for in the agreement between the European Community and Madagascar on fishing off the coast of Madagascar for the period from 21 May 1998 to 20 May 2001. CONTENTS: The fisheries protocol adopted allows Community vessels to obtain a licence to fish in Madagascar waters on payment of an annual fee (EUR 20/tonne caught) for a licence. These licences are granted according to category of vessel and on completion of specific administrative formalities laid down in the fisheries agreement for: - 45 freezer tuna seiners, - 30 surface longliners. At the request of the Community, authorisation may be granted for other categories of fishing vessel under conditions to be laid down in the joint committee set up by the Agreement. Community shipowners must declare their catches and take Malagasy observers and seamen on board. In compensation for these fishing opportunities, the Community will grant financial compensation to Madagascar of EUR 912 000 for the duration of the protocol, to cover an annual catch of 9 500 tonnes of tuna. Above this amount, financial compensation will increase by EUR 50 per additional tonne. The Community will also finance a number of measures in connection with fisheries, such as scientific and technical programmes to improve knowledge of fisheries resources in the country, study grants for Malagasy nationals, assistance towards fisheries surveillance, assistance in the development of traditional fisheries etc., for a total amount of EUR 1 368 000 for the three years in which the protocol is valid. The fishing opportunities opened up by the agreement are allocated among the Member States as follows: 42 vessels for Spain, 26 vessels for France, 3 vessels for Italy and 4 vessels for Portugal. If these vessels do not exhaust all the fishing opportunities, the Commission may take into consideration licence applications for any other Member State. ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Regulation will enter into force on 5 December 1998 and the fisheries protocol will enter into force once all the necessary procedures have been completed.�